Easiest way to connect to Windows computer from OS X / Mac OS X – Fastest way to connect to Windows computer from Mac OS X / Mac OS X – How to access Windows files from OS X / Mac OS X

Contrary to popular belief, Windows and Mac OS X do play nicely together.  You just have to know the right way to get them to communicate.  There are different ways to get there, albeit some very round-about ones, but I’m happy to show you the most direct, easiest way to attain files from a Windows computer from a Mac OS X computer.  You don’t have to be a Mac / PC specialist or Windows and Mac OS expert to follow this.

Here’s the easiest way to access Windows files from Mac OS X:

1. On your Mac, go to:  Apple Menu->System Preferences->Sharing->select the File Sharing option->Options->and Select option to share files and folders using SMB
2. Go to Finder sidebar->type in:  Shared->You should now see your Windows computer to share files.
3. If you still cannot see your Windows computer and folders, then try this.  Go to:  Finder->Go->Connect to Server->type in: “smb://” followed by your computer’s IP address or name (i.e. smb://192.168.1.5).

That’s it.  Follow these 2-3 steps and you can call yourself a PC / Mac network specialist.